COLOUR IN BIRDS AND QUADRUPEDS. 215 



specimens ; P. auratus, two specimens ; Icterus Phoeniceus, eleven spe- 

 cimens, females; the males of the last species are found in separate 

 flocks at this season, a few of the young males occasionally associate 

 with the females. 



After the above period, I was for a short time in Georgia, where, 

 through the kindness of my friends, who furnished me with spe- 

 cimens, I was enabled to examine a number of species of birds. 

 On my return to Charleston I resumed my inquiries into this sub- 

 ject, and through my own exertions and the aid of some of my young 

 friends, had an opportunity of inspecting a considerable number of spe- 

 cimens, of various species, subject to a semi-annual change of colour. 

 The result of examinations made on the 13th, 16th, 17th, 21st, 23d 

 and 28th of March; on the 3d, 10th, 17th and 20th of April; and on 

 the 4th and 5tli of May, I will condense under a notice of each species, 

 as the notes taken on these different occasions would swell this article 

 to an unreasonable length. 



Fringilla Pensylvanica, White Throated Sparrow. Of this spe- 

 cies I was enabled to examine about thirty specimens, in addition to 

 those in an aviary. The light ash colour under the chin is in every 

 instance replaced by afresh moult; the new feathers coming out pure 

 white. This is the case in both sexes. The birds too appear to moult 

 on every part of the body, some having the whole head covered with 

 young feathers still sheathed ; the same process is going on with others, 

 on the breast; and in others, moulting first commences in spots on the 

 back. Thus nature seems to leave one portion of the clothing as a 

 covering to the bird, whilst it is renewing the rest ; and the feathers of 

 one part of the body are fully formed before moulting commences on 

 other parts. 



Fringilla Savanna, Savannah Finch; Fringilla palustris, Swamp 

 Sparrow ; Fringilla melodia, Song Sparrow ; Fringilla pusilla, Field 

 Sparrow. The same process was observed in these species. They all 

 moulted extensively, but irregularly ; and in many specimens every 

 feather, except those in the wings and tail, appeared to be renewing. 



Fringilla erythropthalma, Towhee Bunting. Of this species I re- 

 ceived seven specimens. Two males had the whole head covered with 

 new feathers ; one other was moulting extensively on the back ; not an 



VI. 3 D 



